Norwich Research Park is calling on the government to promote the centre across the world as an ideal place to base a business. 

Dr Nick Goodwin, COO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, which manages the research park, highlighted the benefits the location offers firms during a visit from MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis. 

The research park has ambitious plans to grow during the next 15 years, including expanding by an additional 900,000 square feet and housing up to 300 companies. 

At the moment, the park covers 100,000 square feet and is home to 40 businesses. 

Showing Mr Lewis around the park, Dr Goodwin spoke about the support in place to provide access to entrepreneurship schemes and various funding schemes. 

Dr Goodwin said: “I am really pleased that we were able to host Clive and show him the scale of our ambitions and the enormous potential that the Norwich Research Park cluster can offer the region’s economy.

"While ambitious, our growth plans are realistic, and we have put in place an infrastructure that will allow businesses to thrive."

Businesses at the centre carry out groundbreaking scientific research. 

Dr Goodwin added: "Under the current difficult economic conditions, Clive recognised the importance of translating our world-leading science and research into viable businesses is essential to address global sustainable development issues such as food security, human health and adaptation to climate change.

"Getting more venture investors interested in the opportunity we have here and attracting more business mentors to get involved in helping fledgling businesses are the areas we are focusing on at the moment so any help on either of these two is welcome.

“We still need national government to help us promote the potential we can offer, especially as Norfolk and Suffolk is part of the Department of International Trade’s HPO programme for plant science with a focus on nutritious food.

"At Norwich Research Park we will work closely with the government to help make it known the world over as a great place to base a business.”